One of the greatest things about running is that everyone can be a winner in a race. Sure only one person can come in first place but all of us that run can be a winner if we hit our goal. Maybe that goal is to beat your best previous time or maybe it’s just to finish.

My friend Stacy was running her first half-marathon last Saturday at the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon event. Participating in a large running event like that can be intimidating even to seasoned runners. And for a first-timer it can really throw you. But Stacy was determined to reach her goal of finishing so she focused on that and ignored the noise.

Even though I don’t think she had ever run 13.1 miles before, Stacy was in it to win it and finished strong. So to Stacy and everyone else who meets your goal at a race this summer – “Great job. You are a Winner!”